Test in a week. Tips?

So I have the Sybex Security+ SY0-201 book, read the entire thing. Have been watching CBT Nuggets, and reading the study guides on here. Took the practice test on CompTIA site twice.

This is the results for the first one. The second is similar except 69%. I keep getting about 70% on all the tests I take. I scheduled my test for the 14th so I am forcing myself to study as hard as I can.

Suggestions?

Here are the results from the first time. I think the Crypto and network devices is what is killing me.

Overall Score (All Objectives) Overall Score (All Objectives)
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 65% (65/100)
Passing Score
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] 80% (80/100)
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/transparent.gif[/IMG] Systems Security
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 82% (14/17)
Network Infrastructure
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 76% (13/17)
Access Control
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 71% (12/17)
Assessments & Audits
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 53% (9/17)
Cryptography
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 44% (7/16)
Organizational Security
[IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/solidbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://security+ score_report.asp_files/vbar.jpg[/IMG] 62% (10/16)

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Comments

earweed

First off, Welcome to TE!
Don't use braindumps!
It looks like one of your main areas is encryption. The easiest way I found was remember first all of the Assymetric encryptions as there are less of them. Then remember which are your Hashing algorithms. That leaves your symmetric encryption types and now you know which is which. Try to get in your head which encryptions are more secure, in order. Also look at why you would use each, such as Elliptical is used on smaller devices (less CPU usage)
I had similar results with the Comptia practice tests a week prior to my test. I just cranked down on enforcing anything below 70% and on test day made an 855. I had scored even worse with the tests on this site.
You may encounter a question or 2 on ports but just be sure to look at SECURE ports which will be used.

PDG Technologies

Yea I mean I have been taking the Sybex tests, plus the ones on here and anything else I can find. I have been reading wiki on D-H, PKI, AH/ESP etc.

I know there is a very negative view on braindumps. But I just need something to keep testing my knowledge. I read the entire Sybex book

so if I were to use a braindump to test my knowledge, would that be a bad thing?

earweed

The view on here is very much in disfavor of using braindumps. They don't help and may even be misleading: say you get a cheap braindump with OLD questions and then learn the questions and answers you'll bomb the test. If you're going to use any type of practice test use a reputable one. Practice tests are only gaging what areas you need to reinforce your knowledge in.
Prior to taking my exam I had not scored higher than 80% on any practice test but scored higher on the actual test.
Since you have been studying the material you may just be experiencing pre-test nervousnous. Relax and focus on the material you've learned and you should do OK.

PDG Technologies

Thankfully the Sybex book is the deluxe one with "5 bonus exams". Believe me, I am weary of old info. Especially since a lot of what I find is SY0-101. Even the study guide on here is from the SY0-101 era.

Do you have any suggestions on where to find practice tests for the SY0-201?

PDG Technologies

Yea no, memorizing questions I do not agree with.

I am in the IT field and always looking to improve myself. I am going for the Security+ for the DoD directive so that I can get a better job then what I am in now.

Been studying since Feb off and on and understanding the topics is what I am trying to achieve. Years ago I was interested in hacking and things of that nature. I would like to work my way into the Security (IA) field, so just memorizing answers is not of any value to me. Especially when spending $258 on a pass/fail test.

osiszh

Don't rely on that practice test they have on the CompTIA website. I was in the same boat, I kept getting 70% over and over. The questions on that exam are extremely difficult and no where near what you will find on the real exam. Hope this helps.

PDG Technologies

With three days left, and most of the concepts down pat, I just picked up the Kindle version of Darril's book to read the sections on things I still have issues with. We will see how this goes. Everyone here seems to recommend it.

earweed

Good luck with the test!

aR15

everyone here has mentioned some great points of advice..

i guess one good tip that i could give you for this exam in the event that you get stomped on a question between 2 possible answers is to remember the name of the test.. "security+" !

by that, i mean that a good deal of the questions are designed with the concepts of system security/protection/encryption in mind and more than likely, one of the answers that you're pondering has one or more of these concepts as the underlying factor. this simple, but often overlooked tip can help you narrow that 50/50 question down to almost 1 possible answer most of the time.

not sure if you catch my drift, but i put it as best as i could. it's 11:30pm here, lol.

PDG Technologies

I just finished reading Darril's book a little while ago. Retook on CompTIA practice exam on their site. 70% this time. (65%->69%->70%)

I think what screws me up is the extended word problems.
Like user A belongs to OU group A1 and A1 needs to see the files of DX1 but not DX3. How would you manage this.

something like that.

Having never worked the backend of Active Directory, all the AD questions are giving me a hard time.

Is the test seriously this hard ? I have read two books, have a very good knowledge of the subject matter yet I feel like I am hitting my head on the wall

Test is tomorrow

never2late

PDG Technologies wrote: »

I just finished reading Darril's book a little while ago. Retook on CompTIA practice exam on their site. 70% this time. (65%->69%->70%)

I think what screws me up is the extended word problems.
Like user A belongs to OU group A1 and A1 needs to see the files of DX1 but not DX3. How would you manage this.

something like that.

Having never worked the backend of Active Directory, all the AD questions are giving me a hard time.

Is the test seriously this hard ? I have read two books, have a very good knowledge of the subject matter yet I feel like I am hitting my head on the wall

Test is tomorrow

I was the same way with the CompTIA practice test as you. Using various practice exams I was scoring consistently in the low 90% range but the CompTIA I never scored above 80%. Really wish that it would show you what questions you answered incorrectly to give a better picture of your weaknesses.

IMHO, the actual test questions can not be this difficult since you have 90 minutes to answer 100 questions. Others on this forum have echoed the same sentiments.

Keep studying Darril's book and you'll do fine. I have read the book twice as well as the Sybex and feel comfortable with the subject matter.

I am taking the test today and hope my assumptions are correct.

Good Luck.

Devilsbane

PDG Technologies wrote: »

Having never worked the backend of Active Directory, all the AD questions are giving me a hard time.

AD is pretty easy to pick up. An OU is an Organizational Unit, and for most purposes can be compared to a folder in windows. It is just a container that holds objects so that your directory is organized.

And just like folder structure matters when you start thinking about how you want permissions to inherit down, OU's are the same thing.

OU's then get linked to group policies. Group policies grant and restrict rights. Such as the right to logon, or the right to restart the computer. Groups are used with permissions to gain access to resources. (Resources such as files or printers). Groups and OU's really have nothing to do with each other. You could be in Group A and OU B, or you could be in Groups A and B but still in OU A. (Each object can only live in one container, but group membership is limitless).

Does that clear anything up for you? (This is just a rough crash course, you could spend years studying all of AD)

PDG Technologies

Well I am home from the test

I unfortunately only got an 859

earweed

Congrats on the good score!

PDG Technologies

Thx. Could not have done it without TE and the help and support of the members here.

tiffj81

I have taken several practice exams and I'm scoring between a 630 720. I'm not sure what else to do, and my test is Friday. I don't want to waste $258.00

Devilsbane

tiffj81 wrote: »

I have taken several practice exams and I'm scoring between a 630 720. I'm not sure what else to do, and my test is Friday. I don't want to waste $258.00

Welcome to TE.

Isolate the areas that you still need work on and study those areas up. Use this forum to ask questions on things that you don't understand. Use the internet...

What are your study materials?

never2late

Congrats. Great score. And you were worried?

Just got back from my test and I scored 845. Whew!!

Thanks everyone for the guidance and kind words. Now its on to WGU starting Aug 1st.

PDG Technologies

never2late wrote: »

Congrats. Great score. And you were worried?

Just got back from my test and I scored 845. Whew!!

Thanks everyone for the guidance and kind words. Now its on to WGU starting Aug 1st.

I was swearing up and down during the test that I was going to fail. Marked 9 questions that I had no idea about.

One was virtualization. Another was on Degression. I studied Crypto hard and there were not that many hard crypto questions.

PDG Technologies

tiffj81 wrote: »

I have taken several practice exams and I'm scoring between a 630 720. I'm not sure what else to do, and my test is Friday. I don't want to waste $258.00

I spent a ton of time putting myself to sleep with the Sybex book. I picked up the Kindle version of Darril's book and read it e-cover to e-cover. Take the CompTIA practice exams on their site and then use his book to study those domains in depth. If there is something you don't understand, look it up.

Understanding is the key. I knew if I knew the subject matter, then that is all I could do.

I missed questions on 2.2, 4.6, 5.1, 1.4, 5.3, 1.3, 2.1, 6.4, and 3.6.

I had 1 port question. It asked about p2p. Not something I studied.

never2late

PDG Technologies wrote: »

Understanding is the key. I knew if I knew the subject matter, then that is all I could do.

I missed questions on 2.2, 4.6, 5.1, 1.4, 5.3, 1.3, 2.1, 6.4, and 3.6.

I had 1 port question. It asked about p2p. Not something I studied.

I agree. Many of my questions dealt with understanding the material more than specifics. Not many on crypto and that was one domain I studied extensively.

Had more than a few questions that described situations and asked for the best answer. Not the best answer to the situation itself but the best answer of the choices given. Really had to dissect each answer to see if it was the best solution. I could not have done this without understanding the concepts. Reading the books gave me the ability to understand and apply these concepts. This is something brain **** could never do.